Meditation

Meditation

Meditation is the practice of calming the mind, connecting with the body, and focusing on what is happening in the present moment. Being present. Ever get involved in a good book or work of some sort and lose sight of time? That’s a meditation, anything that keeps you present.

Although they may differ considerably, most meditation practices aim to calm, or quiet the thoughts. For those of us that have a busy lifestyle and seem to think non-stop a quieter mind can be a great relief. By better connecting to our mind and body we become more aware of what is going on internally, and as such meditation is seen by many as an empowering practice in which we take back control of our lives. Instead of being at the mercy of our thoughts and emotions we come to understand them, and with this understanding comes positive change.

Kris makes it easy to learn and practice.

Meditation helps us to gain a different understanding and relationship to our thoughts, problems, and ourselves. Some practices aim to alter our relationship to our thoughts and how we perceive ourselves.

By gaining a better understanding of our thinking processes we are less dominated by thoughts – both good and bad. By observing our thoughts we get to notice habits and patterns that may previously have been unknown. This understanding then allows us to make positive changes. Instead of constantly thinking of the past and the future we begin to live more in the now – and it’s the now that life is actually happening, and where real change can and does occur.

Deepak Chopra Defines Meditation this way:

– Everyone thinks that the purpose of meditation is to handle stress, to tune out, to get away from it all. While that’s partially true, the real purpose of meditation is actually to tune in, not to get away from it all, but to get in touch with it all. Not to just de-stress, but to find that peace within, the peace that spiritual traditions talk about that passes all understanding. So, meditation is a way to get in the space between your thoughts. You have a thought here, a thought here, and there’s little space between every thought.

According to traditional practices, this space between the thought is the window, is the corridor, is the vortex to the infinite mind – the mystery that some people call the spirit or God. We don’t have to use those terms, but it’s your core consciousness. And the more we learn about this space between thoughts, we find certain things to be true of it:

It is a place where there is something called the observer effect, or the power of intention, which means intention is very powerful when brought to this space and it orchestrates its own fulfillment – what people call the law of attraction – so those are wonderful qualities of your own spirit.

In meditation, we get into this space so we find infinite possibilities, infinite correlation, infinite creativity, infinite imagination, and infinite power of intention. That’s what meditation is really about.

Where to Meditate

A place that you feel safe, where you will not be disturbed. Honestly, any place where it’s quiet and peaceful. Personally I meditate in bed, before I get up and rock off to sleep at night.

When to Meditate

Morning and evening coincide with our body’s quieter rhythms. Our body knows how to be still; we just have to give it the opportunity. Studies show that routines begun in the morning last the longest, but any time you look forward to meditating is the right time. I practice my meditation in morning and evening before I rock off to sleep.

Body Position

Being comfortable is most important. It is preferable to sit up straight on the floor or on a chair to help cultivate alertness, but if you are ill or need to lie down, that is fine. The mind has been conditioned to sleep when the body is lying down so you may feel sleepier. Your hands can relax on your lap, palms up or any way that you feel most open. Being comfortable is the only requirement.

Thoughts

Thoughts will inevitably drift in and dance around your mind, but that’s normal. Don’t try to do anything with them – let them be. If you find yourself thinking about what’s passing through your mind, just return to focusing your awareness on the mantra or your breath – you will soon slip into the space between thoughts.

Breath

When we pay attention to our breath, we are in the present moment. In an unforced, natural rhythm, allow your breath to flow in and out, easily and effortlessly.

Meditation Length

The effects of meditation are cumulative, and setting aside as little as 5-15 minutes a day to retreat and rejuvenate is beneficial. Many schools of meditation prescribe 30 minutes of meditation twice a day, and as your meditation practice evolves, you can extend your time. It’s better to spend just a few minutes meditating every day rather than meditating for an hour a week. Make it work for You.

The Five Things That Can Happen During Meditation

During meditation, five things can happen:

We can experience thoughts.

We can mentally repeat the mantra.

We can have thoughts and repeat the mantra at the same time. If this happens to you, place greater attention on the mantra.

Our thoughts and the mantra can cancel each other out, and we can slip into that place of stillness between our thoughts, the “gap.”

We can fall asleep. If you fall asleep, when you awaken and if time permits, allow yourself about five or ten minutes to complete your meditation.

To learn more about this wonderful way to stop the stress or help sleep at night, call Kris.

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Disclaimer:

This site does not provide medical or legal advice. This site if for informational purposes only.